Political Parties, Elites, and European Defence Policy

Abstract

This panel examines how Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—and its longer-term political and psychological effects—has reshaped foreign, security, and defence debates in Europe, both at the EU level and within key national and party-political arenas. Bringing together insights from comparative politics, political psychology, and security studies, the panel explores the durability and limits of Europe’s post-2022 assertiveness toward Russia, the role of emotions in enabling or constraining defence cooperation, and the growing salience of foreign and security policy in domestic party competition. Particular attention is paid to variation across political actors, including mainstream and far-right parties, as well as across regional and national contexts. The panel offers a nuanced account of how ideas, emotions, and power intersect to shape Europe’s capacity to respond to contemporary security crises.

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